basic sea training

[puffer]

Hi, I am looking for some help to get on the water - I am a complete novice.
I bought a 535 Suntrip last year, but after buying a 60hp mercury and having the trailer rebuilt I ran out of time to use it. I am based in midlands and need someone (probably in Wales) to check out the boat (is the prop right for the boat, etc), tell me what else I need to buy like compass, fenders, anchors etc, and do some basic training (pb2 stuff). All the RYA people seem to ask for the boat to come ready for the sea, or charge the earth for one to one own-boat training. I don't really mind not having a certificate, just need someone credible and helpful at around £150 a day, so a local retired boatie would be brilliant.
Anyone got any contacts?
Neil

[deeandmartin]

We are in mid Wales, the guy we used for our boat safety certificate was brilliant, we even offered to pay him to come out for a pre visit check but he didn't want our money! He advised us by email and sent us lots of useful information, I'll look his details up and post them on here for you, good luck, Dee

[davej]

if you want a sea saftey check doing then ring your local rnli they will do it free of charge but it is nice to donate to the rnli as a thank you

[daveinglasgow]

you could always take a wee holiday up here and we will take you out on loch lomond and show you the ropes and how to look after your engine as well.

Dave
ps you have probably bought the best boat on the planet to start boating with so have fun and be safe.

[puffer]

Thanks for the support in here, everyone. I'll be following some of these ideas up asap.

Neil